Lever-actuated wedge breech mechanism for guns.



No. 860,471. PATENTEDJULY 16, 1907.

- M. HERMSDORF.

LEVER ACTUATED WEDGB BREEGH MBGHANISM'FOR GUNS. PrLruATIoN FILED un. au. ma.

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. M. HERMSDORP.

ALEVER AGTUATED WEDGE BRBEUH MEGHANISM FOR GUNS.

APPLICATION FILED APB. 30. 1906.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

BML' ya @JH f lNo. 860,471. PATENTE-JULI 1s,- 1907.

l M. HBRMSDORF. LEVER AGTUATBD WEDGE BREBGH MEGHANISM F03 GUNS.

APPLIOATIOH FILED APE. 30, 1906.

o. 860,471. PATENTD JULY 16, 19o?.

' v M. HERMsDoRP. LEVER A'GTUATED WBDGB BREBGH MBGHANISM. PoR GUNS.

APPLIQATION FILED APB. 30, 1906.

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UNITED PATENT OFFICE.

MAX I-IERMSDORF, OF ESSEN-ON-THE-RUHR, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR T0 FRIED. KRUPP AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, OF ESSEN-ON-THE-RUHR, GERMANY.

LEVER-ACTUATED WEDGE BREECH MECHANISM FOR GUNS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 16, 1907.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MAX HERMsDoRF, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, and a resident of Essen-onthe-Ruhr, Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lever-Actuated Wedge Breech Mechanisms for Guns, of which the following is a speci- Iication.

The present invention relates to lever actuated wedge breech-mechanisms for guns and an object of the invention is to provide such mechanisms with an automatic safety device against premature firing.

Other and further objects will appear in the following description and will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing, the invention is, by way of example, shown as applied to a wedge breechmechanism in which the device securing against premature iiring is brought into reciprocatory action with different'other securing devices.

Figure lshows a part of a side View of the closedbreech-mechanism; Fig. 2 is a corresponding top View with the upper wall of the breech opening broken away; Fig. S is a section on line 3 3, Fig. 2, looking Jfrom below; Fig. 4 is a section on line 4 4, Fig. 2, looking from the right; Fig. 5 is a section on line 5 5, Fig. 2, looking from the left; Fig. 6 is a section on line 6 6, Fig. 2, looking from the left; Fig. 7 is a view corresponding to that shown in Fig. 2, the breech-mechanism being closed but unlocked; Fig. 8 is a view corresponding to that shown in Fig. 27 the breech-mechanism being open; Fig. 9 is a section on line 9 9, Fig. 7, looking from the left; Fig. l0 is a section on line 10-10, Fig. 8; Fig. ll is a view corresponding to that shown in Fig. 2 with changed position of one of the parts; Fig. l2 is a section on line 12-12, Fig. 2; some parts being omitted, and Fig. 13 is asection corresponding to that shown in Fig. l2 with changed position of the parts.

By means of an operating and locking lever C, O, the fulcrum pin D of which is journaled in the breech A of the gun-barrel, the breech-wedge B can be forced transversely of the bore into the tapering breech opening and locked therein. To attain this purpose, the arm C of the operating lever engages a cam groove b, b2, in the breech-wedge through the medium of a heartshaped stud c2, the part b2 being concentric to the fulcrum-pin D when the breech -mechanism is closed and the breech-Wedge being locked in the breech-opening when the stud c2 of the operating lever is at the free end of the part b2 of the cam groove (Fig. 2). The breechclosure is provided with a firing mechanism, the drawing only showing the trigger E and its shaft e journaled in the breech-wedge.

In order to prevent the operating and locking lever C, C from moving from its locked position under the effect of the shocks which take place during the recoil and during the subsequent forward movement, and in order to secure the trigger against premature pulling, I provide the following means: The arms G C of the operating lever are connected by means of a lip or web c4 which on its under side is provided with an inclined face c5, and a notch o3 having inclined side Walls (Figs.-

5, 8 and 9). On the under side ol the nave of the trigger E is provided a notch e2 (Figs. 3, 8, 'l0 and l2) and in the breech-wedge is arranged a sliding bolt F (see in particular Fig. 3). A movable sleeve G, the purpose of which will be explained later on, is non-rotatably arranged in the breech-wedge and in this sleeve the bolt F is mounted in such a manner that it can move at a right angle to the direction of movement of the breechwedge, a spring H interposed between the bolt F and the bottom of the sleeve G, tending to force the bolt outwardly. The bolt F is provided with a lateral longitudinal rib f which projects through the wall of the sleeve G and prevents turning of the bolt relatively to the sleeve. On the side opposite the rib f, the bolt is provided with a projection f 2, which projects under the nave of the trigger E (Fig. 3), while on the upper face of the bolt is formed a roof-formed projection f3.

In the closed and locked position of the breechmechanism (Figs. l to G) the action of the spring H holds the projection f3 of the bolt F in engagement with the notch c3 in the operating lever thereby securing the lever in its locked position. The spring H is of suflicient strength to maintain the engagement notwithstanding the shocks which arise during the recoil and return movement of the gun-barrel.

When the parts assume the position just mentioned and the trigger'E is in its position of rest, the projection f2 0f the bolt F is directly under the notch e2 of the trigger but does not engage therewith (see Fig. 3) and the trigger E is, therefore, free to move.

If the operating lever is turned in order to Open the breech-mechanism the bolt F is rst forced into the breech-wedge by the inclined wall c7 of the notch c3 and against the action of the spring H. When the operating lever is turned further the projection f3 of the bolt F slides along the inclined surface c5 and the bolt is released and again forced outwardly automatically by the spring H and when the operating lever is turned beyond the position shown in Figs. 7 and 9, 'the bolt commences to pass, with its projection f 2, into the notch e2 of the trigger E, and from this moment the trigger is locked. By further turning the operating lever to open the breech-mechanism, the bolt is still more raised until the projection f2 reaches the upper wall of the notch e2, whereupon the inclined face c5 leaves the bolt F. When the breech-mechanism is closed, the proceeding is the same but in inverted order. The inclined face c5 lirst forces the bolt F into the breech-wedge, and at the moment the breechwedge is completely forced into the breech opening and the lug c'2 of the operating lever enters the groove b2, the projection f 2 of the bolt F leaves the notch e2 (Figs. 7 and 9) and finally the projection f 3 of the bolt renters the notch c3 without the projection f2 of the bolt entering into engagement with the notch e2 of the trigger.

During the turning of the operating lever from the position shown in Fig. 7, to that shown in Fig. 2, the trigger, therefore, is not locked. Now, in order to make it impossible to fire the gun during thispart of the movement of the operating lever, I provide the following means: 0n the under side of the arm C of the operating lever l provide a stop ci and on the upper side of the nave of the trigger is a stop e (Figs. 2, 4 and 7). The shape and relative arrangement ofthe two stops are selected in such a manner that thestop c lies against the stop e6 in the manner shown in Fig. 7, when the operating lever is in the position shown in Fig. 7, and the trigger is in the position of rest. When the parts are in this position and the trigger E is turned in the direction of the arrow :r (Fig. 7) to fire the gun, the operating lever will be turned into its locked position (Fig. 11) through cooperation of the two stops eG c6, this position being reached directly after the trigger has passed the entire distance necessary for releasing the-firing device. If, at the moment of pulling the trigger, the operating lever is in a position that is inter* mediate 'of the two positions shown in Figs. 7 and 2, the stops e c' do not meet until the trigger has been moved a certain amount, In every instance, however, the operating lever is brought into the locked position by the pulling movement of the trigger.

There is one more advantage due to the just described coperation of the trigger and the operating lever. When the breechsmechanism is opened and while the lug c2 of the operating lever passes through the groove b2, the action -of the stop cG on the stop e causes the trigger to be carried back toitsposition of restif the automatic return of the trigger does not take place for one reason or the other, such as failure of the spring, or the like.

In order to secure the breech-mechanism against opening under the effect of the shoclrs which take place during the travel, and also against unauthorized opening and firing, a rotary lock-bolt .l is provided-which is turnable` about a fulcrum-pin i horizontally journaled in the breech-wedge, the bolt being secured against removal from the breech-block by means of a bayonet-closure or the like (Figs. l, 5 and 6). .When the loekbolt J is withdrawn, it assumes the position shown in full lnesin the drawing. .Byturning the bolt 180o-in the direction of the arrow y (Fig. l) it is brought into its locking position in which it liesin iront of the trigger ,E and the arm C of the operating lever and prevents a turn-ing of these parts (see the dotted line position indicated in Figs. 1 and 5). It is, however, necessary to prevent the lock-bolt .l from being brought into the locking position when the breech-mechanism is` open, as otherwise the operating lever C will hit the lock-bolt upon closing the breechmechanism, and the bolt and the operatingflever C Would-in such case be likely to sustain damage. -To prevent this I provide the following means'lhe ful crum-pin i of the, rotary lock-bolt J is arranged so vclose to the sliding bolt F that a segmental cut f 5 (Figs` 3 and 10) in the rib f of the bolt F is necessary for turning the lock-bolt when the brocoli-mechanism is closed. Moreover, a flattened surface on the fulcrumpin t" is necessary for the movements of the bolt F when the lock-bolt is withdrawn. It is, therefore, not possible to shift the bolt .l when the breech-mechanism is open, because in that instance the bolt F is in a position in which the part of the rib f that. is. below the cut f 5 lies against the flattened surface i4 of the iulcrum-pin fi (Fig. l0). 1f the segmental cutff in the rib f f of the bolt F is of such a shape that it is entirely filled by the pin t" of the lock-bolt J in the locking position, the bolt F will, in this position of the lock-bolt J, be

locked, and as the bolt F engages with the notch c:i ofthe operating lever C C, a second means is thereby provided for holding or locking the operating lever against turning.

In order to make it possible to hold the lock-bolt J in its extreme positions by means of the spring Il, the pin i is provided-on each side of the flattened surface i4 with two iiattened surfaces t3 and t5 which extend at right angles to the flattened surface i4 and are located in an equal distance from the axis of the pin i, (Figs. (i, 3 and 10). Moreover, the sleeve G is provided with a lateral projection g3 which projects beyond the pin i a corresponding cut being provided in the breechblock for the projection g3 (Figs. 2 and (i). The projection g3 which embraces the rib f f (Figs. 2 and 7) is, on its under side, provided with a eut g4 so as to be capable of overlapping the part of the pin i, which is between the lattened surfaces i3 or i5, and lies on the flattened surfaces i3 or 't5 (Fig. 6). The spring H, which continuously presses the sleeve downwardly, therefore tends to maintain'the projection g3v in en-V gagement'with the flattened surfaces (Figs. 3 and l0) so as to secure the lock-bolt J against accidental turning in its .extreme positions.

When the lock-bolt J is Withdrawn, the projection g3 lies onthe fiattened surfaces i3. When the lockbolt is shifted' from the withdrawn to the locking position, the slee've G is, through the medium of its projection g3, rst raised by the cylindrical part of the pin into the position shown in Fig. 13, in order to sub,

sequently descend under the action of the spring H until the projection 9 3 rests on the attened surfaces i5.

From the foregoing specification, it will be seen that the operating lever C, which is also the locking means of the breech-wedge B, controls the trigger locking means that is, it releases the spring pressed bolt F and permits said bolt to prevent the operation of the trigger when the breech-wedge is moved from firing position, and moves the bolt to unlocking position when the breech-wedge reaches firing position. YIt is further apparent that the rotary bolt` .l and sliding bolt F form means for simultaneously effecting the locking of the operating lever and the trigger.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. The combination with the breech, and a transversely movable breech-Wedge, of an voperating lever for the breech-wedge, u trigger provided with a notch and a spring pressed sliding bolt released by the operating lever -to enter the notch Vof vthe trigger and hold the trigger V versely movable breech-wedge, of an operating lever provided wlth a notch, a trigger' provided with a notch, and a spring pressed sliding bolt resting in the notch of the operating lever, when the breech is closed, and resting in the notch of the trigger, when the breech is open.

3. The combination with the breech-wedge, and an operating lever for the same, of a trigger, a locking means for the trigger controlled by the level', and connection between the lever and the trigger causing the operating lever to move, during the moving of the trigger, to a position in which it locks the wedge and engages the trigger locking means.

4. The combination with the breech-wedge, of an operating lever provided with a notch, a trigger, a spring pressed sliding bolt for holding the trigger against movement and resting in the notch of the operating lever when the said lever is in one of its extreme positions, and connection between the trigger and the operating lever causing the lever to move to a position so that the sliding bolt enters the-notch to insure the sliding bolt against moving during the movement of the trigger.

.5. The combination with the breech-wedge, of an operating lever provided with a notch, a sliding bolt adapted to enter the notch, a trigger and a lock effecting the locking of the trigger and the locking of the sliding bolt.

G. The combination with the breech-wedge, the operating lever, and a trigger, of a sliding bolt engaging the lever, and movable to lock the trigger, and means for preventing the movement of the sliding bolt while it engages the lever to prevent the movement of the lever.

7. The combination with the operating lever, and a trigger', of a trigger locking means moved from locking position by the lever, and means for causing the trigger locking means to lock the operating lever.

8. The combination with the operating lever, and the trigger, of a sliding bolt to loch the trigger, controlled by the operating lever, and provided with a notch, and a rotary bolt provided with a notch to permit the sliding of the bolt and adapted to be moved into the notch of the sliding bolt to prevent the sliding of said latter bolt.

D. The combination with the operating lever, and the trigger, of a sliding bolt to lock the trigger, controlled by the operating lever, and provided with a notch, and a rotary bolt provided with a notch to permit the sliding of the bolt and adapted to be moved into the notch of the sliding bolt to prevent the sliding of said latter bolt; said rotary bolt having a portion located in the path of the trigger when the sliding bolt is locked against movement.

10. The combination with the operatinglever and the trigger, of a sliding holt to lock the trigger, controlled by the operating lever, a movable sleeve in which the sliding bolt works, a spring interposed between the bolt and the sleeve, a rotary bolt for locking the sliding bolt against movement, and connection between the rotary bolt and the sleeve whereby the spring is utilized for yieldngly holding the rotary bolt in various positions. i

.11. In a breech-mechanism for guns, the combination ot a Wedge .moving transversely to the axis of the bore of the gun-barrel, an operating lever for moving and locking the wedge, a trigger having a notch and a locking bolt slidably mounted in the wedge and adapted to engage the notch in the trigger under the action of a spring when the operating lever is out of its path.

,12. In a breech-mechanism for guns, the combination of a wedge moving transversely to the axis of the bore of the gun-barrel, an operating lever for moving and locking the wedge, a trigger having a notch, a locking bolt slidably mounted in the wedge and adapted to engage the notch in the trigger under the action of a spring when the operating lever is out of its path, the operating lever having a notch with which the locking bolt engages when the operating lever is in a position for locking the Wedge, the notch in the operating lever being of a depth toprevent engagement between the locking bolt and the notch in the trigger when the locking bolt engages the notch in the operating lever.

13. In a breech-mechanism for guns, the combination of a Wedge moving transversely to the axis of the bore of the gun-barrel, an operating lever for moving and locking the Wedge, a trigger having a notch, a locking holt slidably mounted in the wedge and adapted to engage the notch in the trigger under the action of a spring when the operating lever is out of its path, a notch in the operating lever with which the locking bolt engages when the operating lever is in a position for locking the wedge, and a pair of stops mounted respectively upon the operating lever and the trigger and causing, when trigger is pulled the operating lever to move in the position in which` the operating lever locks the wedge.

14. In a breech-mechanism for guns, the combination oi a wedge moving transversely to the axis of the bore of the gun-barrel, an operating lever for moving and locking the wedge, a trigger having a notch, a locking bolt slidably mounted in the wedge and adaptedto engage the notch in the trigger under the action of a spring when the operating lever is out of its path, a notch in the operating lever with which the locking bolt engages when the operating lever is in a position'for locking the wedge, and a pivotally mounted lock adapted to be thrown in and out of a position in which it prevents accidental opening' of the breech and accidental ring, said lock being controlled by the spring acting upon the lockingbolt and held in its operative and inoperative position.

15. In a breech-mechanism for guns, the combination of a Wedge moving transversely to the axis of the bore of the gun-barrel, an operating lever for moving and locking the wedge, a trigger having a notch, a locking bolt slidably mounted in the wedge and adapted to engage the notch in the trigger under the action of a spring when the operating lever is out of its path, a notch in the operat-I ing lever with which the locking bolt engages when the operating lever is in a position for locking the wedge, a pivotally mounted lock adapted to be thrown in and out of a position in which it prevents accidental opening of the breech and accidental firing, the locking bolt having a recess receiving the pivot of the pivotally mounted locl when the breech-mechanism is closed, and said pivot having a iattened portion allowing the locking bolt to slide along when the pivotally mounted lock is thrown out of operation.

The foregoing specification signed at Dsseldorf, this seventh day of April, 1906.

. MAX HERMSDORF.

In presence of* Annu. PoHLMnran, PETER LIEBER. 

